Device for cleaning player pianos



Feb 26 1924.

A. P. GROVES DEVICE FOR CLEANING PLAYER PIANOS Filed Oct. 17. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 N VEN TOR.

Jud l" 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. P. GROVES DEVICE FOR CLEANING PLAYER PIANOS Filed Oct. 17 1.922

Feb. 26, 1924.

In r h Patented Feb. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES ALFRED PHILIP GROVE, OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

DEVICE FOR CLEANING PLAYER PIANOS.

Application filed October 17, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, ALFRED PHILIP GROVES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charleston, in the county of Charles ton and State of South Carolina, have invented a new and useful Device for Cleaning Player Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is an automatic pneumatic cleaner for player pianos of the pneumatic type.

It is well known that the various air ducts, vents, bleed-holes, as well as the opening in the trackerbarof pneumatic players become 1 clogged or filled with dust and dirt which causes a sluggish operation of the various pneumatic operating parts and hinders the nick response of the hammers of the piano.

.0 remove this dust and dirt from pneumatic pianos requires the services of one familiar with their construction and operation,

. and it is often very inconvenient, as well as expensive, to secure the services of such experts.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide means which may be permanently attached to a piano and connected with the pneumatic operating mechanism whereby the dust and dirt may be drawn from the 80 entire f pneumatic system, as occasion requires, this attachment being extremely simple in construction, inexpensive, and in no way interfering with, the operation of the pneumatic system or detracting from the u appearance of the piano.

Broadly stated, the invention consists ofa suction hood which may be permanently attached in the music roll box and may be moved into and out of position over the tracker-bar, the tracker-bar having additional air openings formed therein and com municating with said hood .when the latter is in position on the tracker-bar, said open ings being connected by suitable means to 46 the exhausting pumps of the pneumatic mechanism of the player piano and being so connected that, when the cleaning device is set in operation, the other operating mechanism of the piano is disconnected from the so exhausting pumps and rendered ineffective.

Another feature of the invention resides in the particular construction of the hood Serial No. 595,081.

whereby the cleaning operation may be selectively concentrated upon groups of openings in the tracker-bar.

The invention further resides in the sundry details of construction, combination and arrangements of parts which will appear as the specification proceeds.

In this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention is disclosed in the form in which it is considered to be the best, but the invention-is not limited to such form because it is capable of being embodied in other forms; audit is to be understood that in and by the claims following the description herein it is intended to cover the invention in whatever form it may embody within the scope thereof.

Referring particularly to the drawings wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown as at present devised:

Figure 1 is a conventional showing of a piano in front elevation and illustrating the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the music roll box showing the tracker-bar cleaning hood mounted therein and in raised inoperative position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the cleaning hood lowered to operative position over the tracker-bar.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail. View taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of cut.- ofi device for disconnecting the motor from the pumps when the cleaning device is placed in operation, parts beingbroken away to illustrate its interior construction, and showing the parts in position for permitting the ordinary operation of the player piano.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 and showing the parts of the cut-off device in position to disconnect the motor-from the exhaustion pump and placing the cleaning device in. connection with the exhaustion pumps.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of another cut-ofl device interposed directly between the tracker-bar and the air chest, and showing the parts in position to render the cleaning device ineffective.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 illustrating a second cutoff device in position to permit the cleaning operation.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view taken substantially on line 1111 of Fig. 4.

Referring particularly to the drawings, P designates the cabinet of a player piano containing the usual music roll boxes B, the rolls of which are operated from the motor M having connection through the usual motor tube H to the tempo box N which usually has connection. together with the governor box G, with the air chest A. The exhausting pumps E are operated in the usual manner by treadles X and have connection with the air chest in any suitable manner, such as by the pipes or tube Y.

Of course, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the tracker-bar T is arranged in the music roll box B and has a number of openings 0 therein which have suitable connection not shown, with the air chest A, which causes a suction of airtherethrough, proper mechanism being interposed in said connection for operating the hammers of the piano aS a perforated music sheet is drawn over the face of the trackerbar from the roller 13 to the roller R.

All of the above is mechanism which usually composes the operating parts of the ordinary pneumatic player and forms no part of this invention.

The cleaning device of this invention consists in providing one or more additional openings 10, 10 preferably one at each end of the tracker-bar, and connecting each of these openings respectively by pipes 11, 11 to the air chamber A. These tubes 11, 11 have interposed therein. preferably at their connection with the air chest A, cutoff devices 12 and 13 which will close the pipe 11 to the suction created in the air chest when the cleaning device is in operation.

The cut-off device 12 consists of a small chest or valve casing, as shown in Figs. 1, 9 and 10, secured by suitable means, or otherwise connected, to the air-chest A. The valve casing 12 has a port 1-1 which directly connects it with the air chest. The casing 12 also has an outlet port- 15 in which is secured the nipple 16 to which is attached one end of the pipe 11. which is connected at its other end with the openings 10 in the tracker-bar T. It will thus be seen that adirectair connection is established from the air chest to one of the additional or cleaning openings in the tracker-bar. It is both desirable and practical to close this air connection when the mechanism of the player is being operated to play a musical selection in the usual way. To this end a valve 17 is slidably fitted in the valve casing 12 and is moved to the position shown in Fig. 9, by suitable operating means connectcd with the valve stem or rod 18, to close the air connection between the air chest and the opening 10.

The cut-off device justdescribed is preferably located on the base side of the piano, because the tempo and the governor devices of the pneumatic player are usually located on the treble side of the piano, as indicated in Fig. 1; and since it is both desirable and practical to disconnect the pneumatic playing mechanism, as well as the roll-operating mechanism from the exhausting device, when placing the cleaning device in opera tion, it is necessary to provide a special type of cut-off device from that shown in Figs. 9 and 10. which will cooperate with the tempo and governor devices for this purpose.

The cut-oil device 13, therefore, consists of box-like casing having a slide valve 19 therein which is operated by a stem or rod 20 extending outwardly through the box. The asing 13 is connected with the air chest A through the port 21, Fig. 7. During the ordinary operation of the player piano, the valve 19 is in the position shown in Fig. 7, so as to uncover the port 2]. thereby permitting a free pneiu'natic connection between the air chest and the interior of the box 13. The front. face of the casing 13 is provided with four ports, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, as 23, 2 1, and 25. The tempo box, which is of a conventional construction, is secured to the front face of the cut-off casing 13, or is otherwise arranged to have corresponding ports therein to register with the ports 22 and 2.41 of the ca sing 13; and the governor box G is so arranged as to have corresponding ports therein suitably connected with the ports 23 and 25 of the casing 13. \Vith the tempo and governor boxes so connected with the casing 13, the pneumatic playing mechanism of the piano will operate as usual. there being the proper pneumatic suction established between the air-chest the action mechanism and the motor N, when the port 21 is uncovered. as shown in Fig. 7. The slide. alive 19, however, has one face thereof grooved as at 26, this groove being adapted to register with the port 21 and with the port of the passage. 21' formed. preferably. in the rear wall of the casing 13. A flat leaf spring 28 maintains the slide valve 19 in close engagement wit he rear wall of the casing 13, so as to es tal sh a tight connection between the port 21 and the passage 27. The passage 27 has fitted in its outer end a nipple 29, to which is attached one end of the pipe 11 which has its other end connected with the opening 10 in the ti'ac cer-her T. It will thus seen that when the slide valve 19 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 8, all air connection tothe governorand tempo boxes (which control the action mechanism and the music rolls) is cut off, rendering these mechanisms inoperative, but a direct pneumatic connectionis established between the air chestA and the openin 10 in the tracker-bar T.

The operation 0 the valves 17 and 19 is pref-.

erably efiected in unison; and to this end a single control lever 30 is mounted at a convement place on the keyboard of the piano and has a suitable connection through the link 31 and the lever 32, with the rods 18 and 20, as shown in Fig.1.

A suction chamber or hood 33 is suitably mounted within the music roll. box of the layer piano and consists of an elongated ody of substantially the corresponding length of the tracker-bar T. The hood 33 may be made. of any suitable material and has a face thereof. open to provide a mouth 34 throughout its len th, which 0 ening is to register or overlie t e openings 10 and 10' in'the tracker-bar T. Themouth 34 isdivided by a number of transverse partitions 36', thereby. providing a plurality of compartments 37, each adapted to enclose or cover a certain number of the openings 0 in the tracker-bar. The edges of the mouth 34 of the partitions 36 are so formed as toconform to the contour of the surface of the tracker-bar and preferably have a gasket35, such as felt or the like thereon, in order that the hood may make a proper and tight fit with the bar.

At the ends of the hood 33 are the openings 38, which are positioned to register respectively with the openings 10 and 10 in the tracker-bar. These openings 38 are connected by a passage 39, suitablyprovided in the hood, and each compartment 37 communicates, respectively with the passage 39 through valve-controlled openings or ports 40,0ne at least for each compartment. The

valves which control the ports 40 are manually operated and, as shown, each comprise a valve member41 mounted on a stem 42 extending through the hood and having an operating handle or finger-piece 43 on its outer end. The stems 42 may be moved in any suitable manner, but, in the present embodiment, are shown as being threadedly adjusted in the wall of the hood 33. i

It will thus be observed that when the opening 34of the hood is placed against the tracker-bar T, with the compartments there of in proper register withthe openings in the tracker-bar, and the lei er 30 operated to move the valves 17 and 19 in the posi-- tions shown in Figs. 10 and 8, respectively,

and air connection is established directly between the pumps E and the passage 39 in the hood 33. By operating the "alves 41. the compartments 37 may be placed in communication with the passage 39, and by operating the pumps E by the usual action of the treadles X, air is sucked in reverse direction through the pneumatic mechanism of the player into hood 33, and thence through the pipes 11 and 11 to the pumps or bellows E, thus drawing out all dirt or dust that may have accumulated in the various ducts, passages, valve chambers on the valves, in vents, bleed holes, tracker-bar, and from such other parts of the pneumatic system where the dirt may lodge, thereby thoroughly cleaning the entire mechanism. Suitable dust traps may be provided at any convenient place to catch the dirt and dust removed from the mechanism, such as at 44 in the pipes 11 and 11, so as to prevent the dirt from lodging in the air chest or bellows or finding its way back into the playing mechanism. 7

It will, of course, be understood that the valves 41 may be, manipulated to close all but one, or two, as desired, to concentrate the entire suction from the pumps E to the various groups of the openings 0 in the tracker-bar communicating with the respec--' tive suction compartments 37 of the hood, so as to more effectively perform the cleaning of the pneumaticsystem or of certain sections thereof. Any number of compartments 37 may be provided; however, four are illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention.

The hood 33 is mounted in the music roll box B and may be swung into or out of cleaning position. This may be accom plished in one manner, by securing the hood to a pair of bracket arms 45 pivotally mounted in the box B, so that it may be swung into and out of operative position, as

shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. Means may be provided to maintain the hood in its raised or inoperative position, and means may also be provided to maintain it in close contact with the tracker-bar to form an airtight joint. In the present illustration both of these functions are performed by a pair of lock arms 46, each pivotally mounted at one end 46 adjacent the pivoted end of one of the bracket arms, respectively. The bracket arms 45 and the lock arms 46 swing vertically, but the arms 46 swing in a plane at right angles tothat of the arms 45. Thus, when the hood is raised, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the arms 46 are moved upwardly into the path ofrmovement of the arms 45 and retain the hood in raised position, the back movement of the hood being limited by any suitable abutment such as at 47. When the hood 33 is in lowered or operative position as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lock arm 46 is moved downwardly to engage with the hood as shown, and presses it into tight and close contact with the tracker-bar.

If it is desired to entirely remove the hood from the box B, when not in use, this can be done by lifting the bracket arms 45 from their notched or open bearings 48.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A cleaner for pneumatic player musical instruments, comprising a hood mounted on the instrument and movable over the tracker-bar to cover all the usual openings therein, means for connecting said hood with the pneumatic pumps of the player, whereby when the hood is on the tracker-bar in operative position, air suction may be estab lished in said hood.

2. A cleaner for pneumatic player musical instruments, comprising a hood mounted on the instrument and movableover the tracker-bar to cover all the usual openings therein, means for connecting said hood with the pneumatic pumps of the player, whereby when the hood is on the tracker-bar in operative position air suction may be established in said hood, and means on the hood for selectively concentrating said air suction in the hood to groups of openings in said tracker-bar.

3. A cleaner for automatic musical instruments comprising, in combination with a pneumatic player mechanism including a pump and tracker-bar; an additional air connection between said bar and said pump, said air connection terminating in an opening in said bar, a hood to cover the usual openings in the tracker-bar and also the opening of said additional air-connection, means to cut oil the air communication between said pump and player mechanism and to establish air communication between said pump and tracker-bar through said additional air connection.

a. A cleaner for automatic musical instruments comprising, in combination with a pneumatic player mechanism including a pump and tracker-bar; an additional air connection between said bar and said pump, said air connection terminating in an open ing in said bar, a hood to cover the usual openings in the tracker-bar and also the opening of said additional air connection, means to cut oil the air communication between said pump and player mechanism and establishing air communication between said pump and tracker-bar through said additional air connection, and means on the hood for selectively concentrating the air currents from said pump to groups of openings in said tracker-bar.

5. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments the combination with pneumatic player mechanism including a pump and a tracker-bar having openings the-rein, of an air-cleaning connection between said bar and said pump terminating in an opening in said bar, a hood mounted on the instrumentadjacent said tracker-bar and movable into a position to cover the usual openings therein and also the opening of said additional air connection.

6. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments the combination with pneumatic player mechanism including a pump and a tracker-bar having openings therein, of an air-cleaning connection between said bar and said pump terminating in an opening in said bar, a hood mounted on the instrument adjacent said tracker-bar and movable into a position to cover the usual openings therein and also the opening of said additional air connection, means for maintaining said hood in close air-tight contact with the trackerbar, and means for reversing the normal air current created by the pump through the pneumatic player mechanism.

7. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic player mechanism, including a pump and a tracker-bar having the usual openings therein, of a cleaning air connection between said bar and pump and having an intake opening in the tracker-bar, a hood to cover the openings in the tracker-bar and to connect them with the opening of the cleaning air connection, and means for reversing the air currents created by the pump through the pneumatic player mechanism and for rendering said mechanism inoperative.

8. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic player mechanism, including a pump and a tracker-bar having the usual openings therein, of a cleaning air connection between said bar and pump and having an intake opening in the tracker-bar, a hood to cover the openings in the tracker-bar and to connect them with the opening of the cleaning air connection, said hood being divided into a plurality of compartments each having a certain number of the usual tracker-bar openings communicating therewith, said hood also having a passage therein connecting said compartments with said cleaning air opening in said bar, independently operable valves for opening and clos ing the connection between each compartment and the passage in the hood, and means for rei'ersing the air currents created by the pump through the pneumatic player mechanism and for rendering said mechanism inope ative.

9. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic player mechanism, including a pump and a. tracker-bar having the usual openings therein, of a cleaning air connection between said bar and pump and having an intake opening in the tracker-bar, hood means for covering the usual tracker-bar openings in groups and connecting each group with the air-cleaning opening in the tracker-bar,

means for collectively or selectively placing each group of openings of the said bar in communication with said air-cleaning openings, and means for reversing the air current created by the pump through the pneumatic player mechanism.

10. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments, the combination with the pneumatic player mechanism, including a tracker-bar and an air-current source, a pair of tubes connecting the tracker-bar with said air-source, each tube having one end terminating in an intake opening at each end of the tracker-bar, respectively, the other ends of said tubes being connected to valve casings interposed in the air connection established by said tubes, valves in said casings for opening and closing the air connection established by said tubes, a hood for covering the openings in said tracker-bar including the intake openings of said tubes.

11. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments as set forth in claim 10, further characterized by one of said valve casings having communication with the usual tempo and governor devices of the pneumatic player mechanism, the valve in said casing cutting off the air communication between said devices and the air source when it opens the air connections between said air source and said tubes.

12. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments, as set forth in claim 10, further characterized by said hood being divided into a plurality of compartments with each of which groups of the usual openings in the tracker-bar communicate, and means for collectively or selectively placing said groups in communication with the intake openlngs of sald tubes.

13. In a cleaner for automatic musical instruments, as set forth in claim 10, further characterized by said hood being pivotally mounted adjacent said tracker-bar to be swung into and out of cooperative relation therewith, means for maintaining the hood in its adjusted position and for retaining it in close contact with the tracker-bar to pro vide an air-tight contact therewith.

14. A cleaner for pneumatic player musical instruments comprising, in combination with the pneumatic player mechanism including a pump and tracker-bar; a hood to cover the usual openings in the tracker-bar, an air connection communicating with the pump and terminating adjacent the hood to communicate therewith when the hood is in position covering said openings, and means to cut off the air communication between the pump and player mechanism, whereby the air suction through the player mechanism andtracker-bar is reversed when the hood covers said openings.

15. A cleaner for pneumatic playergnusr cal instruments, comprising a member mounted on the instrument and movable in and out of position over the tracker-bar to cover and uncover the usual tracker-openings therein, said member having air communicating means therein to register with the openings in the tracker-bar, means connecting the air communicating means in said member with the pneumatic pump of the player, and means to out off the air communication between the pump and player mechanism of the instrument, whereby the air suction through the tracker-bar is reversed when the member covers said openings in the tracker-bar.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALFRED PHILIP GROVES. 

